Stroud Station Temporary Bridge Installation: How Mitchell Bridges Delivered in Just 8 Hours

At Mitchell Bridges, we specialise in temporary bridge solutions that meet the most demanding deadlines. On Saturday, 7th September 2024, our team successfully installed a  15m span,  pedestrian bridge at Stroud Station, Gloucestershire, within a strict 8-hour overnight possession window.

This temporary footbridge was essential to maintaining passenger access between the platform and the car park while the existing station bridge underwent refurbishment. Despite challenging weather conditions, we ensured the station was fully operational for the first train service at 8 AM on Sunday morning.

The Challenge: Ensuring Safe Passenger Access During Rail Works

With essential rail infrastructure maintenance scheduled at Stroud Station, the existing platform bridge needed refurbishment. This presented a significant challenge:

• A safe, accessible pedestrian route was required for passengers moving between the platform and the car park.
• The installation had to be completed overnight, from midnight to 8 AM, within a limited rail possession period.
• Severe weather made the task even more demanding.

With our dedicated project management team , we developed a precise, efficient installation plan to ensure the new temporary bridge was in place before the first trains resumed service.

Optimised Planning for Rapid Installation

To meet the tight timeframe, we used a modular short-span lightweight bridge, designed for fast, efficient assembly. This approach allowed us to:

• Pre-fabricate the bridge off-site, reducing on-site work and minimising disruption.
• Conduct thorough site assessments, ensuring the bridge could be positioned quickly and safely.
• Implement strict health and safety measures, particularly given the adverse weather conditions.

By focusing on precision planning and expert coordination, we ensured a seamless installation process.

Installation Night: Overcoming Weather Challenges

At midnight, as soon as we gained rail possession, our team sprang into action. Despite the weather, we followed a highly organised process to complete the installation on time.

Step 1: Preparing the Site

Our crew worked swiftly to secure the area, ensuring all lifting equipment and bridge components were ready.

Step 2: Positioning the Bridge

Using specialist cranes, we carefully lifted the modular bridge into position, aligning it perfectly between the station platform and car park.

Step 3: Securing and Testing

By 6:30 am, the structure was fully installed. We then conducted rigorous safety checks to ensure complete stability and compliance.

By 7:45 am, the bridge was fully operational— in time for the first passengers to arrive.

A Seamless Solution for Rail Network Infrastructure

Despite the challenging conditions, we successfully delivered a safe, durable, and fully operational pedestrian bridge within the 8-hour timeframe. This temporary rail footbridge provided passengers with an uninterrupted, accessible route, ensuring minimal disruption while refurbishment works continued on the existing station bridge.

This project highlights Mitchell Bridges’ expertise in temporary bridge installations, showcasing our ability to work efficiently under pressure, even in adverse weather conditions.

Why Choose Mitchell Bridges for Your Temporary Bridge Needs?

✅ Fast, efficient  temporary pedestrian bridge installations
✅ Specialist solutions for railway stations, events, and construction sites
✅ Compliant with  UK rail safety regulations
✅ Expert project management from planning to completion

If you need a temporary footbridge for a railway station, festival, or construction project, get in touch with Mitchell Bridges today. Our team is ready to provide a tailored solution to keep your project running smoothly.

📞Contact us now to discuss your requirements.

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